Angelus Bell

Parish of Sacred Heart and All Saints' Wardour

On Laetare Sunday, Bishop Bosco Macdonald, 10th Lord Bishop of Clifton, came to our parish to consecrate the Angelus Bell. This has been repaired and is now ready to be put back and ring out the Angelus in the village. It has not been heard in living memory probably more than fifty years ago. Parishioners raised the £8000 needed over the last two years. While Sacred Heart was completed in 1898, the church was not consecrated until 1934. By this time the bell was on the roof and so it was especially in need of consecration and blessing.

Father Anthony Paris, our Dean and Parish Priest, concelebrated Mass with Bishop Bosco. Fra' Richard Berkley-Matthews was Master of Ceremonies and Zoë Hammond, Jacky Ashton, Sacha and Margot Roundell served. The Angelus Bell was consecrated during Mass:

Incense was imposed on the charcoal, the bell was sprinkled with holy water and then censed.

7 crosses were traced on the outside of the bell with the Oil of the Sick, and 4 crosses were traced on the inside of the bell with the Oil of Chrism.

O Almighty God, pour forth upon this bell the dew of Your Holy Spirit, that the enemy of the good may always flee before its sound. May the people be called to prayer, and to the practice of the Faith; inspired by its ringing, may they be strengthened in the Lord as they come together to worship. Let the Holy Spirit come down, so that when this bell peals, the angelic host will preserve the assembly of Your Church; and may Your protection be given to Your people, body and soul. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Mass continued after the blessing of the bell with the Creed and Intercessions.

After Mass the Bishop greeted all the parishioners. Flower posies were given to all the mothers and to those who mother us.

Bishop Bosco then went to All Saints’ Wardour to celebrate the Sung Mass there. He looked resplendent in the Chapel’s wonderful 18th century rose vestment.

This was an informal visit; we appreciate Bishop Bosco finding time between all his engagements to come at short notice. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Bosco again soon.